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US Department of State warns its citizens about continuing threat of terror actions and violence

20 March 2010 05:21 (UTC +04:00)

Washington. Isabel Levineâ€“ APA. US Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to evolving security concerns in Turkey, and reminds them of the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and interests, APAâ€™s Washington correspondent reports.

This travel alert dated March 19, 2010, expires on April 30, 2010.

â€œU.S. citizens in Turkey should be particularly vigilant in light of the ongoing "Get Out America, This is Our Country" campaign and upcoming significant anniversaries associated with the Revolutionary Peopleâ€™s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C), a designated terrorist organization. Actions against American and/or Turkish-American cultural and business establishments in Turkey are possible. We remind U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awarenessâ€, -says the immediate statement of US State Department.

In addition, the U.S. Mission in Turkey alerts American citizens about the upcoming Novruz holiday occurring on March 21. Previous protests, some of them violent, have occurred in Turkey on this date and could occur again.

â€œThe Department of State encourages U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Turkey to be alert to the potential for demonstrations and to avoid large gatherings. Demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible. Particular caution should be exercised in places known to be frequented by Americansâ€ â€“ says the statement.

On the other hand, Turkish Diaspora in US considers that, there is no base for that statement. â€œthe situation in Turkey is quite saveâ€ â€“said Ahmet Gunay, Washington DC based Turkish Diaspora representative to APAâ€™s Washington correspondent.